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Help Get Chelsea Back and Running

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Anyone who has met Chelsea Schmidt knows that she is an exceptional human being. She is an unstoppable, unbeatably happy young woman who has filled the lives of others with joy, laughter, hijinks, and generosity.

Chelsea is currently fighting for her life. A sudden and severe case of the flu evolved to include pneumonia, and now ARDS. She is only able to breathe with the assistance of machines. She is in very serious condition and will need all the help she can get. She is a fighter, and I have every reason to believe she will kick this illness's ass, and she is getting great care. But she will need help to get back on her feet when all of this is over.

Chelsea works several jobs, and unfortunately none of them offer vacation or sick pay. This has been a hard winter already, and this illness threatens to set her back significantly, financially. Even when she is out of the hospital, her road to recovery will be very long and arduous.

I am asking, on her behalf, that anyone who has been touched by her amazing generosity of spirit pitch in whatever you can so that Chelsea can have some good news. I want her to be able to focus fully on her recovery and not have the added stress of finances. We were planning on getting married early next month, immediately leaving for our honeymoon, and still do not know what, if any, recovery and rehabilitation expenses we will have to cover. I understand that the wedding may have to be put on hold of course, her rehabilitation and recovery are priority number one, and if she can focus solely on that, we'll be able to tie this knot soon enough!

Please give whatever you can. Many of you have reached out and asked how you can help, this is the best possible way. We need your help, we do not have much savings at all, and both of us are missing a lot of work while we wait for her recovery. This illness came out of nowhere and we're doing everything we can to make sure she wakes up to good news. Please help us show her how many amazing and caring friends she has.

Hi Friends! Many have asked about Chelsea's current status. It thrills me to tell you Chelsea is off of her intubation and awake! She still has a long recovery ahead of her but it seems the hardest part of this (for all of us) is over. The hard part for Chelsea is just beginning though, as she has a lot of work ahead of her. It would mean so much to me if you continued to let her know how much you love and support her. I have been doing that ever since she roused up and she has yet to see her phone or facebook or anything like that. We're giving her some more time to acclimate to being back with us consciously. The first night I was here with her in the hospital, I can't tell you how many numerous and horrible scenarios played out in my head, but after seeing her today, I am so filled with love and pride for how far she's come in such a quick time. I'm half tempted to ask the doctor if she's broken some kind of record. I know there's probably 5 of you out there who have yet to share this page with you're loved ones, so please keep doing so if you're able. She is going to be so much more at ease knowing that her family, her friends, and her loved ones are here for her to recover as best she can so that she has nothing else to worry about except getting better. I know we're not out of the woods yet, but i need to give my sincerest and most profound thanks to her mom Heather, her Father Ralph, her best friends Emma and Lauren, and all the other close friends who have surrounded Chelsea and me to offer their continued support. Caleb, Terry, Conor, Mike, Adam, Rosalie; thank you. AND to every single one of you who has shown your true character as selfless and generous super humans, I have run out of words to show my gratitude for you amazing people. Keep sending us your well wishes and love, and I will do my best to keep everyone updated, but in all honesty, I think Chelsea will be able to do that sooner rather than later. Don't stop Believin'. All the love.

Friends! Quick update today: Chelsea continues to show uplifting progress. Some things that could have been setbacks weren't, and with every day that goes by I am truly impressed with how much booty Chelsea is kicking. The road still stretches out far in front of her, the obstacles are present, but she's strapped on her sneakers and is ready to run. It's hard to explain the rollercoaster ride this has been for all of us who love chelsea, but the more I see her fight, the more inspired I am by her already unrelenting drive. It's good to see, and hopefully she'll be seeing me soon. Don't stop sending buckets of love and hope our way, we still need it greatly. The support shown already by the community that surrounds Chelsea has me speechless, but the support shown by people who have never met myself or Chelsea is truly miraculous. Thank you again everyone, love forever.

Friends! Keep keeping your fingers crossed and keep sending out those good vibes. Chelsea seems to be making significant steps forward, we are very encouraged by the news we've been hearing over the past 24 hours. Chelsea's progress is indicative of a body and spirit that will not quit. She is still in serious condition in the ICU, but if she continues in this direction, we will be seeing much more tangible progress in the near future. Her lungs show improvement with every x-ray, her breathing is showing improvements with every adjustment they make to the ventilator, and the hope of having our Chelsea back sooner rather than later is becoming more of a reality. As always, many things can still happen, and any number of complications could arise, so we remain cautious yet even more optimistic than before. I can't wait for Chelsea to see the love coming her way. Thank you all so much, every single one of you will forever have a special place in my heart and I owe you forever. I will never ever forget the kindness and selflessness you have shown us. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Hi friends! We continue to be absolutely stunned by the overwhelming support Chelsea has gotten. She has touched so many lives and we'll be damned if she won't continue to do so. We did receive some promising news today, but all this news still comes with a grain of salt. Doc says that recovery from ARDS can be two steps forward, one step back. What Chelsea has going for her to fight this fight is her youth and her health. Her lungs are champion lungs, and she is a champion Chelsea. Because there is no cure for this illness, all they can do is try and keep her breathing and operating at a normal rate, and then it is completely up to Chelsea's body to fight this battle. We know she can do this, she is such a brave and amazing person and your support and love will mean the world to her. Our dear friend and groomsman at our upcoming wedding, Andres Solorzano, has written a song for Chelsea. The Marathon Runner. The Colonial Badass. The all around incomperable force to be reckoned with.

Good luck for her! I wish her quick and full recovery! I & my kid 2 years ago have pneumonia in summer right after pneumonia shot, what suppose to prevent it... I call to NV Health District about our problem and they say: "Oh , well, get better! We never heard about such side effects yet". Some people ok with shots and some not... I wish there was any way to check it before getting shots or insurance for that to cover medical costs....

I definitely know the feeling for your love one fighting for there life I have a little cousin who is also fighting for her life and I'm asking for donations to kelly surgery fund . Hope all gets well and prayers !

Just wanted to say that my prayers are with you. My mother in law was in the hospital for 3 months with ARDS. At 63 the odds were not good. Less than 20% that she would recover. Its been almost 3 years now, and other than her family's paranoia and a trach scar, you would never know . I was there everyday and my husband every night. They know your there with them. Be her advocate. No sympathy only empathy. I'm a nurse and I've never seen this kind of struggle. Its not the disease or the rehab that's hard. Its the after. Her realizing how close it came. Not remembering. The emotions. God Bless

So glad to read support & prayers are seemingly helping! I used to work at a day care & a mom of then 4 year old & 9 months old ended up with pnemonia & practicly dying... She survived!!! This is partly why your story caught my attention, but also your love & commitment even prior to the wedding touched my heart & soul!!! Be strong!!! I shared on my page & might tag some people. So sad that I can't help by a bigger monetary amount... Prayers!!!

I saw your post on Facebook and had to comment. I myself had the flu and bilateral pneumonia that quickly turned into ARDS last February and was on a vent for 10 days. My family was told that I would not survive...but I came out of it...I do not remember any of it except that i woke up and had the respirator in for another two days before they could take it out. It was awful but I some how miraculously recovered and went home on the 14th day. It's been one year and although I still have other medical issues due to that...but I'm alive and well!! Keep your head up...if she's strong like i was she will pull through...I will pray for her!

You have been on our prayers Chelsea ever since we heard you were in ICU and now still in the hospital and on the road to recovery. We were with your grandparents on their Panama Canal Cruise and shared their daily concern for you. We understand you still have a long way to go before you are up and running but with Joe by your side cheering you on along with family and friends will make the road ahead a little easier.

Good luck for her! I wish her quick and full recovery! I & my kid 2 years ago have pneumonia in summer right after pneumonia shot, what suppose to prevent it... I call to NV Health District about our problem and they say: "Oh , well, get better! We never heard about such side effects yet". Some people ok with shots and some not... I wish there was any way to check it before getting shots or insurance for that to cover medical costs....

I definitely know the feeling for your love one fighting for there life I have a little cousin who is also fighting for her life and I'm asking for donations to kelly surgery fund . Hope all gets well and prayers !

Just wanted to say that my prayers are with you. My mother in law was in the hospital for 3 months with ARDS. At 63 the odds were not good. Less than 20% that she would recover. Its been almost 3 years now, and other than her family's paranoia and a trach scar, you would never know . I was there everyday and my husband every night. They know your there with them. Be her advocate. No sympathy only empathy. I'm a nurse and I've never seen this kind of struggle. Its not the disease or the rehab that's hard. Its the after. Her realizing how close it came. Not remembering. The emotions. God Bless

So glad to read support & prayers are seemingly helping! I used to work at a day care & a mom of then 4 year old & 9 months old ended up with pnemonia & practicly dying... She survived!!! This is partly why your story caught my attention, but also your love & commitment even prior to the wedding touched my heart & soul!!! Be strong!!! I shared on my page & might tag some people. So sad that I can't help by a bigger monetary amount... Prayers!!!

I saw your post on Facebook and had to comment. I myself had the flu and bilateral pneumonia that quickly turned into ARDS last February and was on a vent for 10 days. My family was told that I would not survive...but I came out of it...I do not remember any of it except that i woke up and had the respirator in for another two days before they could take it out. It was awful but I some how miraculously recovered and went home on the 14th day. It's been one year and although I still have other medical issues due to that...but I'm alive and well!! Keep your head up...if she's strong like i was she will pull through...I will pray for her!

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